Right of children to free and Compulsory Education Act

The Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education Act has come into force from today, April 1, 2010. The act was passed by both houses of Indian parliament in July-August 2009 and recognised by the President of the Republic in August 2009. Every child in the age group of 6-14 years will be provided 8 years of elementary education in an appropriate classroom in the vicinity of his/her neighbourhood. Funding pattern between the Centre and the States will be in the ratio of 65:35 for all States/ UTs and in the case of eight States of NER, sharing pattern would be of 90:10. All schools including private schools shall be required to enrol children from weaker sections and disadvantaged communities in their incoming class to the extent of 25% of their enrolment, by simple random selection. Any cost that prevents a child from accessing school will be borne by the State which shall have the responsibility of enrolling the child as well as ensuring attendance and completion of 8 years of schooling. The state will be responsible to provide an elementary school in every neighbourhood which means there should be a primary school for class 1 to class 5 in the range of every km and secondary school for class 6 to 8 in the range of 3 km. The state would be responsible for providing transport if a school cannot be provided in an area of small population.

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